Old IDE hdd as slave

[drstrangeluv]

I want to use an old IDE hdd as an internal hdd, slave to my master SATA hdd. If i buy the ide to sata converter, and use the same power line my case fans use (4 prong) will it work out? I formatted the drive on another computer, will i have to format it again when i connect it to its final place?

 

[cin19]

Does your MB have the IDE/PATA connector? If yes, you can. If no, you need but the add-on card for it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815283030

 

[ram1009]

I have never heard of a "IDE to SATA" converter, however you can use a PCI card to plug your IDE HDD into as has been pointed out. Some older MBs also have one IDE port. If your power supply has a connector that fits the HDD it will work OK. The term "slave" no longer applies to SATA configurations.

 

[Paperdoc]

Exactly what mobo do you have? We can help you check whether it already has an IDE port if you don't know for sure.

The Master / Slave thing can get confusing here. Those terms are used ONLY with respect to one IDE port. The old IDE unit will NOT be a "Slave to the SATA drive". You will have one boot drive (SATA), and a second drive (IDE) used only for data. BUT that IDE unit, being the ONLY device on an IDE port, MUST have its jumper set to the Master position. You see, any IDE port MUST have a Master device on it to work, and it MAY also have a Slave on the same cable. Even if you buy and use an adapter to allow you to connect an IDE drive to a SATA port, basically the adapter creates an IDE port that communicates with the SATA system. In other words, the adapter IS an IDE port and must have a Master device attached to it.

If you're shopping for such an adapter, read the info carefully, because there are two similar units. One allows you to connect a SATA drive to an older IDE port on the mobo, and that is NOT what you want. The other allows connecting an IDE drive to a mobo SATA port. These adapters are NOT two-way - you buy only the right one for your application.

 

[cin19]

I have never heard of a "IDE to SATA" converter, however you can use a PCI card to plug your IDE HDD into as has been pointed out. Some older MBs also have one IDE port. If your power supply has a connector that fits the HDD it will work OK. The term "slave" no longer applies to SATA configurations.

Here is the one, check the line "Vantec IDE to SATA Converter - Model CB-IS100" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232004

 

[Paperdoc]

The adapter that cin19 pointed to is the right type. Reading user's review comments reminded me there are TWO things you must do with units like this. The first is to set the IDE drive to Master (unless the adapter's instructions specifically say otherwise). The other has to do with a BIOS Setup setting. Near where you configure your SATA ports, there is a line about setting SATA Port Mode, with options like "IDE (or PATA) Emulation", "Native SATA", "AHCI", "RAID", etc. You must set this to "IDE (or PATA) Emulation". This setting is a work-around used for a slightly different purpose, but what it does is make the BIOS limit how it deals with the HDD on this SATA port. It makes it use the drive as a plain old IDE unit, which is EXACTLY RIGHT for your situation - it IS an old IDE unit that cannot respond to some SATA signals. The risk here is that MAYBE making this setting will cause problems with your existing actual SATA drives on other ports, and maybe not. If it does, the problems are not permanent - just change it back and then you may not be able to use the adapter and IDE HDD unit.